Nepali authorities on Friday (July 31, 2026) imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of Saptari district bordering India after protests broke out over the recent communal violence in neighbouring Sunsari.

The District Administration Office imposed the curfew in parts of Rajbiraj municipality from 8 a.m. as a precautionary measure after groups of people staged protests in reaction to the communal clashes.

Tensions have persisted in several districts in Nepal since communal clashes erupted in Sunsari over the weekend, prompting authorities to impose curfews, prohibitory orders and step up security deployment.

The latest order brings the number of districts under curfew to four.

Curfew orders are already in force in parts of Sunsari, Dhanusha and Siraha districts, all located in Nepal’s southern Terai region along the Indian border, as authorities struggle to contain tensions that have claimed three lives so far.

One person was killed and more than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured when police opened fire to disperse clashing groups after a dispute during celebrations by two religious communities on Sunday (July 26, 2026).

The violence broke out after members of the two communities, who were holding separate programmes, clashed over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags. A verbal altercation escalated into violence, prompting security personnel to intervene.

On Thursday (July 30, 2026), violence spread to neighbouring Madhesh province, where a teenager died in the clashes that erupted in Siraha district. One person, who was injured in the Sunsari violence, died in Koshi province, officials said.

Meanwhile, the District Security Committee in the border district of Sarlahi has decided to make it mandatory for people entering Nepal from across the border to carry valid identity documents, Assistant Chief District Officer Hom Prasad Ghimire said.

Appealing for calm and harmony, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in a televised address to the nation on Thursday (July 30, 2026), said the government would ensure a neutral and transparent investigation into the recent violence and hold those responsible accountable.

In a separate incident, a police constable sustained a bullet injury after being shot by an unidentified assailant in Lahan municipality of Siraha district on Thursday night.

Constable Narad Pariyar was hit in the right thigh and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Biratnagar, police said.

Curfew has been extended indefinitely in parts of Nepal’s India-bordering Sunsari district, as Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed grief over the communal violence that left one person dead and several injured.

The restrictions in the district were first imposed on Monday (July 27, 2026) after communal violence erupted on Sunday (July 26, 2026) in the Kaptangunj area.

One person was killed and more than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured when police opened fire to disperse clashing groups after a dispute during celebrations by two religious communities, police said.

Expressing grief over the violence, Prime Minister Balendra Shah in a social media post on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) pledged justice for the bereaved family, compensation for those affected and action to bring those responsible to justice.

Mr. Shah paid tribute to the person killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“The government stands in deep solidarity with the affected families and reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice for them,” he said.

“The death and injuries of citizens from gunfire by security personnel are matters of serious concern, and an investigation has been initiated,” the Prime Minister said. He promised action against those found guilty.

The government is seriously reviewing the entire incident, and necessary decisions and corrective measures will be implemented, Mr. Shah said.

He urged citizens to remain restrained, refrain from provocation, anger, and retaliation, and contribute to maintaining social harmony, mutual trust and tolerance.

The local administration issued a fresh notice at 9 p.m. on Tuesday (July 28, 2026), notifying that curfew orders have been extended from the earlier five places to six areas in the district.

The curfew has been imposed for an indefinite period or until further notice, and violators are warned of legal action. Any type of gathering, demonstration, sit-in, public meeting and movement of people is prohibited within the curfew zone, said the notice.

The curfew has been imposed on the East-West Highway that lies within Itahari Sub-metropolitan City Ward No 16 and 17, the East-West Highway that lies within Ramdhuni Municipality Ward Nos 1 and 5, and the entire areas of Inaruwa Municipality, Duhabi Municipality, Bhokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality, Koshi Rural Municipality, Gadhi Rural Municipality, Devangunj Rural Municipality, Harihar Rural Municipality and Barju Rural Municipality.

Sunsari, situated in southeastern Nepal along the border with India’s Bihar, is a crucial transit and commercial corridor between the two countries.

A curfew was imposed on a key border city in southern Nepal after Hindu and Muslim groups began protesting against each other following the vandalism of a mosque over the weekend, officials said Tuesday (January 6, 2026).

The curfew orders issued by the Parsa District Administration said that no one will be allowed in the streets and all gatherings and demonstrations are banned.

The notice also warned that violators could be shot by security forces.

Armed soldiers and police officers were patrolling the streets of Birgunj, located 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of the capital Kathmandu, which is the key border point for importing much of the oil, goods and supplies from neighbouring India to Nepal.

Muslim groups began protesting in the streets of Birgunj on Sunday against the vandalism of a mosque in a nearby town, which was followed by a separate demonstration by Hindu followers on the same day. Protests have continued since.

There have been no major clashes between the two groups and no major injuries noted, with only scuffles with riot police reported.

Clashes between Hindus and Muslims are rare in the predominately Hindu nation of Nepal, where the Muslim population is found mostly in border regions in the southern part of the country.